Ecuador - Covenant Partners in Jesus’ Kingdom

The Evangelical Covenant Church of Ecuador (Iglesia Pacto Evangelica del Ecuador, or IPEE) has invited the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada (ECCC) to partner with them to build up the body of Christ in a global way.

For several years Andy and Jenell Pluim, former Covenant missionaries to Ecuador, have lead an ECCC mission trip to Ecuador. In recent years we’ve been serving Sumaco, a small village in the eastern jungle to support that community after surviving a devastating earthquake and encourage them in agricultural development and children’s ministry. The next trip, in 2018, will be directed by Natasha Westerhoud.

By partnering together, Canadian Covenanters have the opportunity to send service teams on a regular basis to many different communities in Ecuador to:

The Place

Ecuador is a South American country about a third the size of Alberta with 13 million citizens. It has three distinct and beautiful ecological areas: coast, mountains (sierra) and jungle. The people work hard and love to laugh and play. Spanish is the official language.

Ecuador has suffered for centuries under poor economic conditions and lack of integrity in public offices. Families are very close, however, families are as equally dysfunctional or worse than in Canada and the U.S. There is terrible pressure on men to be macho and distant from children. Alcoholism is rampant. There is a desperation about the lack of future opportunities. Christian teaching and instruction is minimal.

Although Catholicism predominates, only 5% of the population attends church regularly. Many children are caught in a cycle of abusive parents and little hope of higher education. Churches are limited in resources to provide families with Biblical parenting skills and discipleship.

There are 64 Evangelical Covenant Churches in IPEE, plus another 20 house-church groups.

These churches average about 100 members each, much like the Covenant Churches in Canada.

Ecuador has the second highest alcoholism rate in the world, second only to Russia.

20% of the Ecuadorian population earns less than $1 per day.

Only 48% of secondary age children are in school.

Unemployment is about 24%.

7 out of 10 Ecuadorian children live in poverty.

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The Annual Mission Trip: Feb. 15-25, 2019

Our next trip will continue the work with these partners, continuing the work on the home for at-risk kids in Cayambe as well as the relationship with the San Antonio de la Pakcha Covenant Church. The trip is for adults, families, and youth accompanied by an adult.

Costs last year were approximately $2200 per person, including the project and airfare. While prices fluctuate, we expect this year's cost to be similar. As we learn more about the project for this coming year we will be able to provide a more accurate cost for the trip.

To reserve your spot of this trip, please fill out the following registration form. A deposit of $250 should be sent by cheque to the ECCC office or through the PayPal link below before Nov. 15th, 2018.